Chapter 56 Mondrian “Celene! Celene, please speak to me!” My voice trembled as I shook my mate awake, her breath grew shallow with each breath, unmoving to my touch. I drew her into my embrace as my heart thudded in panic, her skin already cold to the touch. I would never have thought in a million years Ella would go so far. What had I done, I wondered. This was all my fault. “Celene…” I tried again as my voice broke. “I'm so sorry Celene, please stay with me.” As she lay unresponsive to my voice, her pulse faint, the stab wound still bleeding, I felt a deep hate for what had been done to her, what I had done to her. Ella's last words play in my mind as our conversation pushes me deeper into guilt. "What have you done Ella?" My voice came out like a growl, harsh even. Ella glanced over her shoulder, her initial panic shrouded by a smug smile. “What you told me to do Alpha. Now she'll forever be in your debt.” My fists clenched, as I glanced at the still Celene “You liar.
Chapter 57 Luna Valerie “Is everything prepared?” I asked Talia, my voice low as I paced the room, my eyes flickered toward the thick curtains that shielded us from the moonlight. “I must not let this opportunity pass me by this time around.” The maid shifted nervously beside me, as she played with her hands. “Luna, I... I don't know if this is wise. Alpha Mondrian might find out about this. I think we should focus on helping Ella.” “Ella?” I scoffed, as I stopped mid-step and fixed the maid with a cold glare. “She has been nothing but a burden. A disappointment. This is the only decent thing she has ever done. Putting Celene in this coma. And even that was a mistake. She couldn't even get rid of the slut. Pathetic.” The maid flinched, her fear palpable. “But… she is your daughter, Luna, if Mondrian finds her he will kill her. We have to help her.” “That's on her.” I replied curtly, my face cold to her worries, “Ella made her bed, and she decided to play with fire. If she didn'
Chapter 58 Mondrian What was going on? I wondered as I watched the doctors as they circled Celene's bed, whispering to one another. Their glances were nervous as they shot some my way. My fist tightened for every glance they shot my way, and my wolf grew restless as a pressure pushed down my chest, What were they doing? After yet another glance, I pushed out of my chair, as I stalked towards them, “What is going on healers?” I growled letting my frustration seep out, their backs straightened with fright as my gaze narrowed, “It has been hours since you have examined her. Yet I see no improvement. You told me you wanted to try a new medication. So what the heck are you doing bumbling around?” The healer, a slim man with graying hair, looked up nervously, as he adjusted his glasses as he met my gaze. “Alpha Mondrian, we’re doing everything we can. The drugs we've prepared for her are a bit delicate. It requires total concentration to administer and even then the patient needs to be
59 Celene “Could you do it?” “No her father keeps hovering” Where was I? “Who was I? I frowned as my head pounded to the rhythm of a fast-paced song, the last thing I remember was Ella trying to push me off a cliff, at the thought, I woke up with a start, my heart pounding, as my body trembled. The room spun around me, as unfamiliar faces stared down, their voices like a distant hum. I blinked, as I tried to focus, but everything was a blur. Who were all these people? What was happening? One of them reached out to me, I tried to dodge but my body was too slow to react. As I felt pain. A sharp, stinging pain shot through my body, and I gasped, clutching at my arm. My muscles tightened, and my bones ached as if something inside me was shifting, breaking free. Panic rose in my throat as I struggled to remember— Nothing came to mind. My breath came in shallow gasps my heart rate picked up, as I caught snippets of conversation around me, voices murmuring things I couldn’t yet
60 Mondrian “Well I'll be damned” I murmured as I stared in shock at what—who had once been Celene—still was. The silver sheen of her fur shimmered like moonlight, despite the cries of fear, I couldn't help but hold my breath in anticipation that might stop and look my way, feel our bond. “Is that really Celene” a shocked voice sounded behind me, I moved sideways to catch Arlen staring at the wolf running around the park. “She is a silver wolf! Those are rare aren't they?” I nod my head not taking my eyes off my mate for a single minute as I reply, “Not only rare, almost extinct” I gasped in a choked laugh, “Celene is a silver wolf. Who would have thought? Amazing.” “I must admit, it is fitting only a silver wolf, would match your Aura, your highness. You both fit perfectly in every sense of the word.” I bit my lips to hide the huge grin that threatened to spill as Arlen's praises reached my ears, I could almost forget the screams of fear from the people around—Almost. A small
61 Mondrian “Damnit” I muttered as Celene lunged at me. “Alpha Watch out!” Arlen called as I looked at Celene—her wolf swiped at me, with a grunt, I ducked as I rolled out of her path. My head whipped towards her as she landed where I had been standing, her claws digging deep into the ground. Her silver fur danced under the soft breeze as her eyes—fiery and untamed—held onto mine. I cocked a brow as I heard a soft whistle from the crowd. “Damn, she's fast.” Before I could acknowledge them, her claws came swipe at me yet again, forcing me to push off all forms of distraction as I focused on dodging her massive claws of death. “Celene! We have to put a stop to this” I shouted, as I sidestepped another snarl, my voice desperate but steady. “Listen to me, my love—it’s me, Mondrian! We have to end this. We are scaring the people.” My words barely made a dent as she continued her attack, long gone was the woman who had thrown herself into a dispute to prevent me from tearing her
62 Mondrian “Celene!” I called as I warped towards her, I caught her before her body could reach the floor, and my knees cradled the giant wolf. A soft gasp rolled from the crowd around us as she began her transformation. I frowned at their curiosity—their awe and fear. Their eyes bulged as they stared intrigued at the familiar silhouette of the woman fated to me. A murmur of shock flushes through the crowd, as the whispers grow darker. “It really is her…” “Once a wolfless …now an abomination…” “She should have been killed a long time ago, I always knew she would be trouble.” With a flick of my wrist, I cover her body with the remains of my jacket, unwilling to let them continue to stare and judge. I, brushed a stray lock of hair from her face as I assessed her shallow breathing. I pushed back the surge of anger that followed their words as relief flooded my veins. Her transformation could only mean one thing, she could finally feel the bond between us, just like I did, str
63MondrianThe decision to leave had come easy. Easier than anything that had ever related to Celene. The purple pack wasted no time as they prepared for me and my envoy to leave.The pensive look on their faces would be funny if I didn't know it was their way of showing fear. Fear that I might decide to stay while keeping Celene close by.Their hate for the unknown had pushed an innocent child into darkness and yet they showed no remorse for their actions. With a sigh, I turned to stare at my mate who had fallen unconscious and was currently lying on my lap, her half-naked body tightly wrapped in my jacket, while Arlen searched for her clothes. A small flicker of fear coursed through my veins as I stared down at her unmoving face yet my wolf remained calm a telling sign that she was all right and just asleep. If I could call it that. Without thinking I ran my hands through her face a wave of pity and guilt washing through me— this was all my fault. If only I hadn't let my selfishn
101 Celene The thoughts of the previous night kept replaying in my head, couldn’t stop replaying the moment in my mind. Mondrian walked away from me, his face a myriad of emotions that I could place, walking away from me after that hug that left me wanting him to stay, yet too embarrassed to do anything. What was that all about? It wasn’t like him to act so cold, Mondrian always made sure to savor every single moment of our time together. That hug should have lasted for quite a while before breaking it with a kiss. Although I tried not to think too deeply about his actions, I couldn't help but feel his walking away had to do with the promise he had made to me. Did he not want to do it or was he having second doubts? The thought ate at me all night. Twisting and turning in bed all night, pulling the blanket tighter, then throwing it off entirely. Sleep eluded me no matter what I did or how hard I tried. My mind kept circling back to him— his expression, him walking out without so
100 Mondrian I stepped into my office to find Alex my beta and best friend waiting for me, his arms folded and his face set in his usual calm and unreadable expression. Although It was his usual look, but something about it annoyed me. Maybe it was the tension in the air, or maybe it was the way my own guilt over Celene—walking away from her—still clung to me like a heavy cloak. Either way, I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. “Alex,” I greeted curtly, nodding as I took my seat at the head of the desk. "Alpha," he responded, his tone even, but I caught the flicker of Amusement in his eyes. He knew something. Before I could say anything more, Arlen walked in, his boots clicking against the floor as he joined us. His young face showed none of the excitement he usually eluded instead the shadows under his eyes and the way he sighed told a different tale. It was not surprising, considering the mission I’d sent him on. "Arlen," I said, leaning forward. "Any News young one? Are t
99 Mondrian “What the heck was that?” Zara’s sharp voice followed me as I turned towards the stairs leading to my office. “Do you even realize how harsh you were?” she asked, walking in tandem with me, arms placed hastily on her hips. I stopped mid-step and turned to her, my jaw tightening. “I was harsh for a good reason.” My voice was cold and fiand rm, Zara’s eyes held mine, “She disobeyed me, Zara. She could’ve gotten hurt or worse.” “She didn’t, though,” she countered, her voice calm but firm, her arms crossed across her chest. “And yelling at her like that isn’t going to make her listen to you. If anything, you’re just going to push her further away. I thought you wanted her to fall for you. This isn't the way Mondrian.” Her words hit me like a blow to the chest. I hated to admit it, but she was right. The look on Celene’s, face when I had scolded her—hurt, betrayed, and shocked kept replaying in my mind. It made me feel sick to my stomach. The thought of Celene shifting
98 Celene I stared at her, my hand still raised, my chest heaving. The energy I’d felt when I had merged with Alera surged through me, I could feel the electric tension as my hands trembled from the rush. What the heck was that? My mind whirling as It struggled to process what had just happened. Pecan’s stunned face didn't change as she stared at me, and I couldn’t shake the image of her flying. Albeit satisfying that should have been impossible, I shouldn't be able to do that…not with Pecan who had a place in Mondrian's army, rumors about her slaying mountains of men had welcomed me on my very first day, despite her nasty attitude, she was someone Mondrian had acknowledged and I had thrown her with a flick of my wrist. The hallway grew eerily silent, for a second it all felt like a dream, but my heartbeat pounded loudly in my ears telling a different tale. Then, out of nowhere, Zara appeared, her face full of worry as she hurried toward me. “What happened? I heard a scream,” s
97 Celene I woke up to find Mondrian sitting by my bed, his head in his hands. His shoulders looked heavy like he was carrying the weight of the world. The dim light of the room made his dark hair gleam, and his expression, when he finally glanced up at me, was nothing short of pained. My heart skipped at his forlorn expression. “Mondrian?” My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. My throat burning, and everything felt… off—dull. Still, I reached out to him “What’s wrong?” He exhaled slowly like he was relieved just to hear me speak. “Celene,” he said, his voice soft but laced with tension. “You’re awake. I'm glad.” But his expression still didn't change. “Of course I’m awake,” I said, frowning, as a soft groan escaped My lips. My head was pounding, and my memories were foggy. Before I could ask what had happened, a single memory turned sharp in my mind, and it made my heart leap, excitement fueled my voice looking towards him “I turned! Didn’t I?” His face fell fur
96 Mondrian “Why would you say that, Mondrian?” The voice startled me. In the chaos of trying to save Celene and then battling Maria's words, I had forgotten about the people around me. I turned around, and there he was, glaring at me like I’d just committed some sort of crime. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his expression was sharp a far cry from his usual expressionless face. “You think this is your fault?” he demanded, his voice harsh. “Celene turning and then her fever? You think you’re the reason she’s like this?” I didn’t say anything for a moment. How could I explain? He wouldn’t understand. “If I had been paying a little bit of attention, I would’ve noticed something was wrong,” I finally said, my voice quiet but firm. “if only I wasn't so selfish…I could’ve done something to stop it.” Alex shook his head, frustrated. “Stop it? Stop what, Mondrian? The fever? The turning? What exactly?” His voice rises with every question, “Celene is an adult, she can make h
95 Mondrian “Aren't you in love with Celene?” Zara's words replay in my head on a continuous loop, her words hit me like a punch to the guys, her eyes boring into mine as she stared at me with a look of assuredness. She followed up by stating her efforts towards bringing I and celene together. I had been too shocked to defend myself, too unsure of what was in store for me, I could only stutter, Zara had looked at me with a face tinged with a shock that I hadn't realized before patting my shoulder urging me to think about my next steps before leaving me to my thoughts, with a simple excuse. Too shocked to function I walked back into the room, and her pale unconscious face came into view. Was I in love with Celene? Had I been very obvious in my interest in her? Did Celene like me too? The thoughts ricochet around my mind, mixing in with my feelings of worry towards Celene, until it becomes a giant pile of nerves. With a huff, I fall back on the bed. “What am I doing?” I muttere
94 Mondrian “Celene!” Horror overwhelms me watching her wolf fall in slow motion after finally turning puts my heart in reverse, catching her fall, I pull her into my arms, “What's wrong with you Celene?” She doesn't respond. She had fallen unconscious. This was all my fault, I had no one else to blame, I should have stopped her when she wanted to try again, and I should have been more strict. Despite her being unconscious, her body begins the painful process of turning human. I winced at every crack, her weak body made even when she didn't acknowledge them. Pilling her close to my chest I waited out the turning process murmuring sweet meaningless nothings, while I prayed for it all to be over. At the last pop, I pull off my jacket to cover her semi-naked body, she had been in her underwear during the transformation, and she had feared ruining the sportswear she had walked in with. Her body flushed red from the pain and soaked with sweat, glistened under the sweltering sun. With
93 Celene My talk with Zara put my thoughts in line. To learn more information about my history I needed to ask my father, which I couldn't do on my own, so another goal was created— I needed to overpower Luna Valerie and my father to become strong enough so they respect me. To do so I needed power— more than I already had. Which could only be gotten if I learned to turn, the history book clearly stated the silver wolfs were blessed with powers, and even Alera could confirm, but for some odd reason she couldn't unlock it. Further solidifying my reasons to become stronger, I needed a teacher. I need Mondrian. There was no one more fitting of the role other than Alpha Mondrian. He understood my problem and wanted to help, moreover, I was comfortable a bit with him. I held my breath, my hands growing sweaty, waiting for him to give me an answer. His deep grey eyes bore into mine, holding me in place, “Are you sure Celene? I thought we agreed you should take things slow.” He asked,